Football in the Northwest Oregon Conference looks significantly different this fall due to subtraction.

With Sherwood off to Class 6A, the door appears to be wide open for the 2014 league title. The Bowmen leave the NWOC having won the past four championships and a 30 consecutive games.

“I’m loving life, and I’m pretty sure everyone else is, too,” Parkrose coach Maurice France said. “It was pretty much a one-team league with Sherwood here. They were a good team who made our (OSAA) RPI great, but now, let’s see what someone else can do.”

Unlike the recent Sherwood years, there is no consensus NWOC favorite. The list of title contenders runs almost a handful deep, with Wilsonville, Sandy and Liberty atop the lists of most coaches. Parkrose, with a veteran group returning on offense, also figures in the mix.

New shooters Hillsboro and La Salle Prep may also have a say in the final outcome. The last time the Spartans participated in the NWOC, they won the 5A state championship.

As a nine-team league, Northwest Oregon starts league play during the opening week of the season. Under the new state playoff format, only the top four NWOC teams advance to the state playoffs.

Playoff history: The Spartans won a state title in 2010 and went 6-1 in playoff games during the 2009-10 seasons. Hillsboro hasn’t been to the playoffs since then. The Spartans are three-time state champions, winning in 1966, 1973 and 2009.

Coach: Adam Reese, second season

Outlook: Hillsboro is hoping the drop to Class 5A will bring a return to the good old days, when the Spartans were competitive, and at times, like 2009, of state championship-caliber. A better team will help, too, and here Hillsboro appears to be improved. The Spartans best unit looks to be their defense, which returns 10 of 11 starters, including the 2013 team leader in sacks, defensive end Jackson Bayer. The Spartans’ standout is Dylan Frederick, a receiver who had nearly 900 yards in receptions last season and will also key Hillsboro’s secondary. The Spartans are looking at four quarterbacks, but Reese insists he’ll be down to one by the opener.

Playoff history: La Salle’s postseason resume is largely in 4A, where it won a state title in 2011. The Falcons are 11-7 all time, and their best finish outside of 2011 was a semifinal run in 1985.

Coach: Aaron Hazel, first season

Outlook: On the flip side of Hillsboro we have La Salle Prep, which moves from 4A to 5A this school year. The Falcons also share a distinction with Hillsboro in that it wasn’t long ago when they won a state title (2011), but collapsed last season. Rebuilding the program is Hazel, who comes from Vancouver where he was an assistant coach for powerhouse Skyview. La Salle Prep has a deep senior class, though its unproven. The Falcons have some pieces in place offensively in quarterback Mike Bianca and receiver Michael Duarte. Other players to watch include receiver/safety Jalontae Walker and lineman Brendan Quinn.

Playoff history: Liberty is 0-3 all-time in playoff games, and its most recent appearance was 2011.

Coach: Eric Mahlum, seventh season

Outlook: This could be Liberty’s breakthrough season after tying for second in the NWOC a year ago. The Falcons have substantial experience, particularly in key positions such as quarterback (Blake Walker), running back (Devin Kaneshiro), linebacker (Devin Thompson) and receiver/defensive back (Byron Greenlee). All four are returning all-leaguers, with Thompson landing mention on the 5A all-state team. Liberty’s offense has versatility, with a dual threat quarterback in Walker, the run-receiving ability of Kaneshiro and Greenlee’s hands and athleticism.

Playoff history: The Mustangs’ lone state playoff appearance of the past 23 years came in 2005. Milwaukie is 5-15 during postseason competition, its last win coming in 1991.

Coach: Jon Wolf, first season

Outlook: The Mustangs should be in good hands with Wolf, who built a successful program at Gladstone. But it will take time, as the Mustangs’ lone winning season of the past two decades came in 2012. Milwaukie’s lone returning all-leaguer is linebacker Griffin Johnson. Expect to see a lot of changes this fall, as Wolf brings the run-based veer offense to the Mustangs. The prominent quarterback candidates are senior Aaron Walston and sophomore Jonathan Snyder, while the lead running back appears to be senior Ji’Laundre Edwards.

Playoff history: Parkrose is 0-4 in playoff games, and the Broncos’ last appearance came in 2010.

Coach: Maurice France, second season

Outlook: Lots of talk in Northeast Portland about Parkrose winning a state title this fall, which is particularly bold for a school with one state playoff appearance (2010) in 32 years. But the Broncos feed off their leader, uber-confident quarterback Jonathan Boland. The 5-foot-11, 190-pound Boland has some credentials, after compiling nearly 3,000 yards in total offense last season. Parkrose returns eight starters on both sides of the ball, led by Boland, receivers Marshawn Edwards,Vincent Vy, and Michael Hurlic, plus four-year starting cornerback Andre Johnson.

Playoff history: The Kingsmen have been to the playoffs five times, including appearances in 2010 and 2012. Putnam’s most successful season was 1986, when it won two playoff games.

Coach: Tim Jacobs, first season

Outlook: Just as the NWOC thought it saw the last of the wing-T when Sherwood moved to Class 6A, here comes Jacobs to install the befuddling offense at Putnam. The Kingsmen lost considerable talent from last year’s squad, including running back Richie Mock, who transferred to Oregon City. But Putnam has some building blocks, with Zack Mason keying both sides of the line, and Brandon Culp a force at linebacker and running back. Jake Hamilton moves from receiver to quarterback to lead the wing-T attack. Others to watch include lineman Jeff D’Auvergne and tight end Tristan Smith.

Playoff history: Sandy is 1-10 in the playoffs, with just one appearance (2011) in 15 years. The Pioneers’ lone postseason win came in 1998.

Coach: Joe Polamalu, second season

Outlook: Sandy is another team, like Liberty, that appears on the verge of a program breakout season. The Pioneers, NWOC co-runners up a year ago, appear in good hands up the middle on offense, with all-leaguers C.J. McKinnis (running back) and Spencer Barnett (quarterback), as well as center Crafton Chamberlain returning. Defensively, Sandy got a boost at linebacker in transfer Cole Holmlund at linebacker, who joins McKinnis, also an all-leaguer on defense. Other players to watch include defensive lineman Christopher Salmela, running back Andrew Funk, offensive tackle Nolan Wright and receiver Zachary Shields.

Playoff history: The Lions have some quality in their past, with five state finals appearances and state championship in 1992 and 1996. It’s been lean of late, though, as St. Helens has only been to the playoffs twice in 18 years.

Coach: Jared Phillips, second season

Outlook: St. Helens has an uphill battle ahead after graduating all of its all-leaguers, including quarterback Gage Bumgardner. The Lions have some positives on offense, where receivers Bryce Bumgardner and Justin Helgerson returns, as well as two-way lineman Trenton Beatty. St. Helens breaks in a promising sophomore quarterback in Levi Norton this season. The Lions have a strong sophomore class, and could be a team to watch in a year or two.

Last year: 6-5, 4-3 NWOC; lost to Crescent Valley in first round of state playoffs.

Playoff history: The Wildcats are regular playoff participants, having been to state the past five years. Wilsonville is 11-12 all-time, and won a state title in 2004.

Coach: Adam Guenther, fifth season

Outlook: Wilsonville is one of the league’s most experienced teams with 29 seniors on the roster, although the lone all-NWOC returnee is punter Cole Wilson. The Wildcats should feature a decent passing game, although they have yet to settle on a quarterback. Micco Mills and transfer Johnny Neville appear promising at receiver, while Wilson, Lane Hull and Nate Burke are the team’s top two running threats. Returning starter Elijah Benedick is battling West Linn transfer Connor Neville for the starting quarterback job. Kaden Floyd and Andre Morris key a ball-hawking Wildcats’ secondary.